Southern Miss Fans Vote for Greatest Football Season in Championship Round
The Southern Miss Golden Eagles On SI team has been running a fan vote to determine the greatest football season in school history. After eight weeks of voting and discussion, the championship round has now arrived to crown the winner.
The 2011 squad achieved a program-best 12 victories, including a Conference USA title win over seventh-ranked Houston and a Hawaii Bowl triumph against Nevada. Quarterback Austin Davis established multiple school passing records during that campaign, while three teammates later entered the NFL.
The 1981 team played to a draw with seventh-ranked Alabama and secured a narrow victory over Mississippi State before a record crowd of over 64,000. Quarterback Reggie Collier and running back Sammy Winder starred, with the latter scoring the game's only touchdown against the Bulldogs.
This fan-driven vote could strengthen community bonds among alumni and students by sparking nostalgia and debate over different eras of the program. The outcome may influence how the university highlights its athletic heritage in future promotions. While primarily affecting the local fanbase, such engagement could also reinforce the cultural significance of college football traditions within the region.